Why FRIC, why Fife?

Why FRIC?

A fantastic, inspirational working environment, flexible, affordable office space, and excellent in-house business support – the Innovation Centre provides everything your company needs to grow and prosper in the fast-moving Renewables Sector.

With a "Renewables Champion" and access to dedicated business support on-site, our tenants also enjoy easy access to an effective network of specialist business advisers and key industry players.

A centre of excellence.

Inspirational landmark development

Comprehensive business support on-site

State-of-the-art business facilities

Access to shared innovation space

2000 sq m sustainably designed accommodation

BREEAM Excellent rated building

Powered by low carbon & renewable technologies

Constructed from responsibly produced materials

An excellent location.

Located at the epicentre of Scotland's renewable energy sector

Flexible space from 16 sq m to 205 sq m

Stepped rental agreements

Flexible leasing terms

Reception services

Excellent meeting and conference room facilities

24/7 security

Car parking

Latest broadband connectivity

Communal networking area with stunning sea views

Why Fife?

Fife has all the right ingredients: a great transport network, a skilled workforce, land ready for development and a proactive group of experienced advisers ready to help every step of the way. Our vision is to establish Fife as the easiest place to do business.

One of the strategic objectives for 2020, as defined by the Fife Economy Partnership, is to attract £550m of private sector investment. This investment will support business expansion, create jobs, encourage innovation, and workforce development and contribute to the Scottish economy. Fife's key industries, labour supply and transport network make it an ideal place to support investment, partnerships and business growth.

Fife is concentrating on creating a flexible business infrastructure in Scotland to best meet the needs of the evolving economy. Land and properties have been developed with funds from investments, and support has been provided to help position Fife as an easy place to do business.

Helping this positioning is Fife's expanding expertise in key sectors, for example it is an emerging centre of excellence for offshore wind, renewable energy and low-carbon technology.

Accessibility

Fife’s transport infrastructure encompasses road, rail, air and sea ensuring quick and easy access to Scotland, the UK and overseas.

Economy

Fife is within one hour for a million workers. It has a labour force of 236,000 and is located within the Edinburgh and Dundee City Regions, making it a great place for businesses looking to invest or relocate.

Property

Fife's portfolio of commercial land covers regenerated brown-field and industrial sites to high quality mixed-use sites. Fife is also continuing to invest in property development, from offices to commercial spaces, so businesses at every stage will benefit.

Quality of life

Fife residents enjoy a remarkable quality of life. From coastal and rural villages to modern towns, the housing, local schooling provision and competitive cost of living make attracting and retaining staff easy.

Workforce and skills

Fife's labour force exceeds 220,000 people and Fife is within an hour's drive of one million workers.

The Fife workforce is growing into a highly-skilled, educated and adaptable resource, capable of coping with the changing demands of the global market.

Businesses based in Fife compete on the world stage, especially in finding innovative solutions to meet the renewable energy challenge

Developing skills

Within Fife there are a number of initiatives designed to help people into work and to equip those working with more skills. These practical training programmes are creating an ambitious workforce which is a real competitive advantage for Fife. Opportunities Fife work to tackle skills gaps and unemployment in Fife. More information can be found on the Opportunities Fife website.

As Fife retains its manufacturing excellence and expands towards a knowledge-based economy, there is an increasing trend to retrain and transfer competencies, which is resulting in a workforce with an attractive blend of hard and soft skills.

Education

Fife’s talent pool is continually growing due to the number being educated in the region and staying on after college and university.

There are three excellent colleges located in Fife, which enjoy close links with industry. They provide vocational and skills-based training and education including modern apprenticeships.

The University of St Andrews has a consistent top-ten entry in the UK university league tables and also takes 20th place in the world for Arts and Humanities. The university is first choice for students from all around the world.

Invest in Fife

The Invest in Fife team provides commercial and economic advice, support and guidance to businesses looking to locate, relocate, expand or grow in Fife.

Invest in Fife’s objective is to support Fife’s commercial community and help create an environment which supports economic development and business growth. It does this by using the knowledge and experience of the team of advisers who can provide industry insight, strategic expertise and sector-specific solutions.

The business and consultancy services on offer include: advice on inward investment, finance, property, training, business and personal development and regulator processes.

The Invest in Fife service is delivered in partnership with Scottish Development International, Scottish Enterprise, private sector industry, investors and developers.